Butter-handling machine



n. F. STEWART. BUTTER HANnUNG-MAUcHmE: APPLICATIONl HLD APH. 24. T920.

Patented oct.; 24, 1922.

nventoz R. F. STEWART.A

BUTTER HANDLING MACHINE. -APPLICATION FILED APR.24. [920. 394322,919.Patentefi Oct. 24, 11922.`

R.'F. STEWART. BUTTER HANDLING MACHINE. APPLICATION FILED APR. 24. 1920.

Patented Oct. 24., 1922.

R. F.`STEWART. BUTTER HANDLING MACHINE. APPLlcATloN man APR.24. 1920.

Patented Oct. 24, 1922.

7 lSHEETS-SHEET 4.

dnne-13 :s

R. F. STEWART. 1 BUTTER HANDLING MACHINE. APPLICATION FILED APH.24.1920.

`Patented 0015.24, 1922.

7 SHEETS-sneer 5."

-R- F. STEWART.

BUTTER HANDLING MACHINE. AWucAmN m'n APR. 24. 1920.

Patented Oct. 24, 1922.

7 SHEETS-SHEET 6.

R. F. STEWART.

BUTTER HANDLIN'GMAcHlNE. APPLICATION FILED APR. 24, |920.

1,432,919, I Patented oct. 24,1922.

SHEETS-SHEE'I- JII ence characters` `will indicate like parts in theseveral views, and the mechai'iisnis ,going to make up the machine willbe described in sequence oi operation.

Slab formi/ag me@haitiana-The frame 10 of the machine may be of anysuitable or desired construction and comprises support" ing lens andhorizontal braces of appropriate construction. hlonnted upon this 'frameis the bed or table 'll of the machine of suitable construction, theentire Ytrame and table being' preferably vtermed ot channeledironorother suitable metal in order to rive lightness and rigidity. y

The table 11 is provided at one end (the lett handend as shown in Fie'.l) with a re ceivingplate 12, mounted so to slide lon,- gitudinally oitthe table 1l ifrom the position shown in ifulllines in lligr. l to theposition shown in dotted lines in said figure, runner blades y13 being`provided oneither side of the plate 12 so aste guide the same in itssliding' movements, and a stop 13 being provided to limit the movementsof the plate and'center it beneath the slab cutter. The plate 12 isdesigned to receive the block of butter when in its tull line position,and after ythe block has been deposited thereon will be slid to itsdotted line position beneath'a cutter frame 1l, which carries crosswires 15, engaged by hooks 16 onthe clamps 17, secured to the bars ofthe cutter frame 18, the hooks 16 having thumb nuts 19, by which theymay be drawn up or extended so as to properly tension the wires. Theit'rame ,14 is mounted on a plurality ot rack bars 20, which slide inkeepers 21, mounted on the side bars of the table 11, and one at leastof these rackbars is'ennag'ed, and the bars and `'trame driven, by meansoi' suitable cog` wheels (not shown)4 housed within the keeper casings21, and driven by afcrank arm 22, having a pinion .(not shown) coupledwith the rack engaged con wheel. l/V ith this arrangement the cutter.traine 14- may be raised and lowered, and its crossed wirrs will severthe tub or block of butter into slabs or bars oi' uniform dimensions.The cutter frame has extending upwardly therefrom the wall portionswhich serve to prevent the slabs from' 'falling` when the block is cut,but it will be observed that made widerthan the others. The purpose ofmaking'the recesses 25 wider, is to adapt the machine to cutting` blocksp of butter olf various density.` there the butter 1s soft ,ein

there will be considerable compression ol it the slabs cut from theblock pass through the machine, and by setting` the wires on the cutterframe which cooperates with the plate 12 wider apart, the cross-sectionof the slabs will be proportionately increased, and a proper compressionot' such increased slab will be given. By providing the wide recessesthe wires may be adjusted to talco care ofv this condition. The ends otthese channels 24 and 26 are shown in Fig', 17 beveled downwardly inorder that the ends of the 'recesses may `give a sullieient clear ance'for the hooks 16, on which the wires are strung, and permit the wires15 to pass clear through the `block and completely sever it.

This constitutesthe slab 'forming mechanismoi the machine','whichperiliorms the initial operation ot slabbiiw' the tub or block.

Zeck Ifor'lmfnf/ mecicmzsmrThe slabs 27, one of which `is. indicated indotted `lines in Fig. 1, are 'inserted vertically in a hopper 28 (see'Figs 1, 3 and 7-9 inclusive), in a vertical position as shown, `saidhopper 2S being oit' a size to take a slab; ot full cross sectional areacut out from theblock. lmmediately below the hopper 2S is a blockforming chamber' 29 into which the lower end of the slab will project,as indicated in Figs. 7 to 9 inclusive, the said chamber 29 being openat both ends and having,T within it Ia block severing; and advan'cin gjplunger 30, which `fits closely in the chamber 29 and is provided at itsupper tace with a severing knife 31, the front edge oit which issharpened with an upward sloping bevel 32. The said plunger 30 hassecured to its rear end a plunger rod 33, the tail of which is supportedby transverse bearing 34 as shown in Fig. 3. Fixed to the plunger rod33, or formed integal therewith as may be desired,-is a slotted crossyoke 35 engaged by a roller pin 36 on a crankarm 37 lined to the shaft38, which shaft is mounted in suitable bearings 39 and Ll0 (see Fig. 2),and provided at its outer end with a worm wheel (not shown) mounted in acasing 41 secured to the frame oi the machine. i suitable worm (notshown) is mounted withinthe casing' in engagement with the worm wheeltherein, said worm, beingr driven by a shaft/l2 coupled to anysuitablepower shaft, as, for example, the shaft of an electric motor 43,which is a convenient form ot prime motor.

Rotation of the shaft 3S through the worm wheel, 4worm and prime motorjust de scribed, and through the crank 37, crank pin 36 and slotted yoke35, reciprocates the plunger 30 and knife 31 beneath the hopper 28 `andwill sever the lower end 37 into a block, it 'being' understood that thedimen sions' oi the cha1nber'29 will be such as to give a block oit-anydesired weight, for ei;- anple, afblockef two pounds in weight. In

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ordrrto prevent the slab from fallingas the plunger 3() makes itsforivvard cutting thrust, thatplunger is provided with a rearwardlyextending platform 44, which, When the plunger is in its forivardposition as shown in' 9. lies beneath `the hopperQS and supports theslab.

lt is impor-tf` it in the handling of butter, for forming it intolplates that it be netrunluly compressed or crushed, and in order thatthe drap; on the lower end of the slab ivhirh would result'from severingthe lovver end entirely by the plunger `kni fe 3l may not rush andcompress the butter too much, l provide ineansfor partially severing theslab from the oppositeside so vthat the Cutting of the block from Vt-heslab will be effected simultaneously from opposite sides. This isaccomplished by providing a knife earried by a skeleton freine 46, themembers of which skeleton iframe lie on each side of the mold box orChamber so that the slab may feed downwardly between the frameineinbers. :it its opposite'end the skeleton frame has al cross plate4.7 which is connected With a link 48 Coupled atits other end to arocker 49 pivotally mounted on a suitable support SO on the machineframe, said rocker liavingr a suriiace 51 adapted to be engaged at`certain angular positions of the Crank arm S7 by the crank pin 36, asshown in` Figs. 3, 8 and 9, so that the said knife 4.5 will be ,ejiven ato and fro` moi/'ement by this ieelianisin during a certain angle ofrevolution of the crank arm 37. The face of the surface 5l isjvdeveloped as a' camined surface so as to give the proper movement to thelink 4S, the skeleton frame 4G and the knife iviiich movements areillustrated in Figs. 7 to 9 inclusive. l

Referring; to these figures, it will beob- 1in the direction shownvbythe arroiv is about to start the plunger on its forward movement byreason of its engagement with the slotted 'cross yoke 35, andsimultaneously thecrank pin 3G engages 51 andstarts knife forivai'd fromthe opposite side of the ii'iarhine. ln order to properly7 time theapproach of the knives 31 and toward each other the surfare 5l ,ejiven ahigh spot 52 to quicken the thrust of the knife 45 'and brine it forwardto the position shown iii il" ire F'. vs here it effected apai'tialseveriiuce of the slab from the side of the hopper oppositefrointhe side 'from which the knife 1:31 aets. After the crank pin 36 reachesthe top of its stroke as vshownin Figure 8, and starts on its downwardstroke,v thrustii, the Cross-yoke and its edged plunger forward, theaction of the erank pin 36 on surface 51I ceases, that arm falling offthe crank pin and dropping' to the position shovvn in Figure `9 leavingthe plunger 30 and its knife 31 free to continue its cutting stroke,

served in Figure the rCrank arm revolv-v slab a ud the pl unfrei'movements are steadied;

sie ig and after, the plunger and vkui ie ill more 'fou Ward, thebeveled of the knives 231 and 45 engage, completing the severance of theslab. and as the plunger advances it forces the knife 45, fra-nie 46,and the released op erating parts back to their position of rest asshown in Figs. T and 9 with the block :i3 completely severed andpassing,` to the .mold box. Preferably an adjustable plunger regulatingbar 54 is mounted in a suitable housing;` 55, formed on the hopp'er Q8,this bar 54 being adjusted by means of vertieally ldisposed screws 56.and. horizontally arranged liolding.r screws 5T ivhieh serve tovmaintain the bar in proper position iu relation tothe plunger.

1t will be observed that not only do these cut-oft' knives effectivelysever the blocks from the slab, but when the tivo oppositely n'iov ip;knives-meet, they forni a close cover beneath the hopper 28 and thepressure of the plunger 30 as it forces the slabs through the box:cannot force the butter forwardly into the hopper.

This constitutes thebloek severing meehauisin of the machine. Y

' lhe' chamber or mold box 29 is preferably I' 1 1 .Y y O 1 .L piovided,as snoun in Figs. i, e ano 9, with a wooden filler plate 5S, beneathWhich the blaue travels, so that Vthe butter which passes through thebox is in Contact with metal substantially only `Where it contacts withthe eutting blades, which cutting blades v'ill preferably be made of arustless alloy, it beine' understood that the hopper 28 and the mold boxor chamber 29 are lined with Wood. n i

.The slotted cross yoke is preferably coupled by a spring' Vcoupling 59With a fixed point (30 on the machine frame, tivo coil springs beingshownA in the present instance as @instituting this spring,- coupling',Whiehv designed to supplement 'by its pull the actionof the erank'armduringthe forward. or working' thrust of the plunger 30 and knife 3].,the said spring coupling 59 being' tensioned as'the plunger is beingreturned afterv its working` stroke. By this arrange ment the poiverstored in the spring 59 durthe nou-working` stroke of the plunger isexpended during` the forward or working stroke as the bloek is being cutfrom the lnir a/i-ulfr/-/if/ mit? mor//if/ nier/"miiimm-1 the blorksaresevered from the slabs and fed forwardthrough the mold bei; orchamber as just' described. they Will, of Course, be foreed togetherivith considerable pressure so that they stick `or are molded togetherin the form ofa bar, and this bar passes through the mold box andl isslightly compressed "as it feeds therethrough, the sides of the moldboxbeing Wedge-shaped as at 61, (see Fig. 2), so `as to compressslightly the blocks. At its forward end, the mold adjustalab.'Y in thetraino vG23 by suitable adjustingr rows Get so that 1t will compressmore or according to its adjustmcnu the top ot the bar as it passesthroughand out oifthe mold box.

shown in Fig. i() the gauge plate 62 is mounted so as to be adjustablevertically, said plate resting at its outer edges on the tops oi theside walls ot the mold boxv and so disposed as to roch at its rearend.VK The adjusting screws 6ft will limit the forward movement oit thisgaug'eplate (32 and its pressure upon the slot passing through the moldbe); may be regulated` The 'traine G3 constitutes a cutter iframe whichremovably attached by means of the screws 64 to the mold box 29. Thiscutter 'trame is used when it is desired to split the bar as it issuesfrom the mold box, and in the present instance a single cutting wire 65is shown, which isstretched from a :lined holding pin 66 at the bottomof the trame to an adjustable screw 67 at the top ot the traine, so thatit may be given the proper tension and to prevent side Slipping ot thiswire. To insure its being maintained always in acentral position, itpasses preterably through slotted lugs 68, termed on the trout o-thecutter trame (i3. llVhen the cutter trame isV in position, the/barissuing from the mold box will be split longitudinally, and it isobvious that the cutter traine may be provided with any number ot' wiresdependent on lthe size ot thev sections'into which it is desired to outthe bar.

Print' forming mcczaoriswff-From this cutter traine the bar passesbetween the guide rollers 65h preferably ot wood, and

`removably mounted on suitable pins iiXed to the trame of the machine.The pins on which the rollers 69 are mounted are fixed upon brackets(39,which are laterally adjust-ableso that the rollers 69 may beadjustedin proper relation to the path ont the butter. As the split slabcomes from the mold box there is a tendency for it to spread and theserollers can be adjusted so as to control this spreading action', andyet. permit the prints to separate a little along the ycentral line otcut, These'rollers G9, since they revolve easily under the action of thebutter do not, oit course. cause any drag on the slabs as they pass tothe print cutting table. From the rollers the bar passes beneath a printcutter 70,`which as shown in theV present instance comprises arectangular traine ot anyv suitable dimensions, which trame 70 has thedownwardly projecting wire carrying legs 7l across which'suitablecutting wires are stretched, the said wires being seated in grooves inthe ends of the legs 7l, and connected at their ends to suitinsaoio abletensioning devices The saizlcutter trame TU is supported on sliding barsmounted in suitable slide-ways Mon the bed ot the machine, and coupledat their lower ends with thrust bars 75, which thrust hars at theiropposite ends are coupled by links 7G with the main traine of therma-Vchinez ln order to depress the thrust bars, and pull down the cuttertrame 70, a lever 7? is pivoted at 78 on the machine frame l0, saidlever having a pull arm 79 linked by a pull link 80 to the thrust bars.In order to hold the thrust bar with its attached cutter trarne in theraised position shown in Fig. 3 preterably provide the bar 79 with anotch as shown in F ig. 3 in `which notch the endet the 'pull arm 79engages so as to sustain the trame in its upper position. Then the lever77 is thrown forward, that is, toward the right, in Fig'. l, .it willdepress the thrust bars 75, vpull down the cutter support 73. forcingthecutter 70 to its bed 8l and divide the bar into a predeterminednumber of prints dependent on the arrange ment ot cutting wires on thetraine 70, the hed 8l being plain or cross-recessed to receive thecutting wires on the frame.

The. eutterjtrame 70 is so mounted on the side bars 73 that it may belaterally shifted relativeto the side bars which as stated recijrrocatevertically in the keepers 74, this shaft ot the cutter trame 70 beingdesirable in order that it may be properly positioned relative to andmake` a proper out of the slabs issuing trom the mold box. As theseslabs issue .trom the mold box on to the print cutting table 81, they donot always stop at the same place, and it is desirable, ot course. fte`have some flexibility of the print cutter in order that it may takecare ot' `these slight variations and there may be no waste in cuttingthe prints. In order to provide tor this shifting of the print cut-tingtraine 70, l provide it withslide-ways 70@ which-engage runner plates70h at the upper ends of the arms 73, the engagement between these partsbeing sufficiently snug' to prevent accidental displacement or shift otthe trame 70,- and yet to permit it to be adjusted by the operator totake care of variations in the stopping of the butter as it projectedfrom themold box.

The prints thus formed will, 'ot course, be periodically lied forward asthe machine opei ates, and the plungerBO cuts ott" the blocks and`pushes them through the machine. The prints will` ot course', 'underpressure be brought together and will stick slightlyT although they willnot become molded together as do the blocks in passing through themoldbox, forthe reason that there is n0 drag' upon them, but in order thatthey may separate so that they maybe readily picked up and set ott vonthe wrapping tables by the operator, vlprovide the table 817 adjacentthe cutter frame with means for breaking the prints if theystickjtogether, the arrangement being such that they are broken in bothdirections as they are fed forward from beneath the print cutter. )itthe point 88, the table is inclined from an upper to a lowerl level sothat the prints as they drop off the higher level willY breaktransversely of the machine along thevcut lines, sufciently separatingthe prints so as to prevent sticking. Beyond the break 83, the table ispeaked centrally at 84, and the surfaces on each side of the centercurve outward and downward, so that, as the prints already broken andseparated in one direction by the breaking ledge 83 pass to the peakedarea 8d, it will be broken so as to divide the prints in the otherdirection and separate them. It is obvious that the peaked table 84 maybe arranged so as to provide a plurality of peaked areas, if desired, asshown in F ig. 13.

From the final breaking table, the prints are removed to side tables 85which may be conveniently attached on either side of the machine, orthey may, of course, be taken to 'independent wrapping tablesor wrappingmachines, where they are finally wrapped ready for the market.

It will be understood that this disclosure is merely illustrative of oneembodiment of the invention, and that I do not limit my self tomechanical details or expedients, but regard as within the range ofmyinvention any equivalent mechanisms which may be substitutedto securethe results aimed atl and secured by the specific disclosure herein.I-Iaving thus described my invention, what is claimed is: V

l. In a machine of the class described, the combination of a moldbox'havinga feed opening in a wall thereof, a plunger in said box forseverine` and advancing material en- :j re

tering said box through therfeed opening, means independent ofsaidplnnger and operating oppositely thereto to sever the ma ferial. andmeans for operating said plunger and independent oppositehY actingsevering means.

2. In a machine. of the class described, the combination of a mold boxhaving a feed opening in a wall thereof, a continuously reciprocatingplunger in said box for. severing and advancing material entering` saidbox through the feed opening, and an independent intermittentlyreciprocating sever-` ing means acting in opposition to said plunger tosever the material.

i 3. In a machine of the class describeththe combination of a mold boxhaving a feed opening in a wall thereof, a plunger in said box forsevering' and advancing material entering said box through the feedopening'` means ror continuously reciprocating said plunger, independentsevering means acting in opposition to said plunger, and connectionsbetween said independent means and said plunger' operatingmeans tointermittentlyl reciprocate said independent severing means.

Ll. In a machine of the class described, the combination of a mold boxhaving a feed opening in a wall thereof, a plunger in said `box forsevering and advancing material Icombination of a mold box having a feedopening in a wall thereof, a plunger in said box for severing andadvancing` material entering said box through the feed opening, aslotted yoke and crank arm for continuously reciprocating said plunger,an independent severing knife acting in opposition to said plunger, anopen knife carryingl frame spanning said feed opening, and a connectionbetween said knife frame and plunger operating mechanism to impart anon-continuous reciprocation to said independent severing knife.

6. In a machine of the class described, the combination of a mold boxhaving a feed openingl in a wall thereof, a plunger in said box forsevering and advancing material entering said box through the feedopening, an independent. severing knife acting in opposition to saidplunger, an open knife carrying frame spanning said feed opening, aplunger actuating` rod, a support for the rear end of said rod, a crankarm between said plunger and said support, a slotted cross yoke on saidcrank arm, a rocker arm pivoted adjacent said crank arm and adapted vtoengage said crank arm during a portion only of its revolution, andconnections be tween said rocker arm and said independent severing knifeframe to impart .intermittent reciprocations to said independent knife.

7. In a machine of the class described, the combination of arnold.boxhaving a feed opening in awall thereof, a plunger in said box forsevering and advancing material entering said box through the 'feedopening'. means for reciprocating said plunger, and supplemental meansfor imparting movenient to said plunger during its cutting and advancingstroke.

8. In a machine of the class described, the combination of a mold boxhaving a feed opening in a wall thereof, a plunger in said box forsevering and advancing material entering saidbox through the feedopening,

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means for reciprocating said plunger, and a spring for impartingmovement to said plunger during its cutting and advancing stroke.

9. In a machine of the class described, the combination of a mold boxhaving` a feed opening in a wall thereof, a plunger in said box forsevering and advancing material entering said box through the feedopening, a crank and slotted cross yoke for reciprocating said plunger,Iand a spring connected with said cross yoke-and adapted to supplementthe action of said crank during the cutting and advancing stroke of saidplunger.

l0. In a machine of the class described, the combination of a mold boxhaving a feed opening in a virali thereof, a severing knife at oiie sideof said feed openii'ig, means for continuously reciprocating said knife,`a second knife lon the other side of said feed opening and means forimparting an intermittent recipi'ocation to said sec'on'd knife.

ll; In a machine of the class described, the combination of a mold boxhaving a feed 'opening in a ivali thereof, a severing knife on one sideof said opening, means for cniitinifiously reciprocating said knife, asecon'd severing knife on the opposite side of said feed. opening andmeans for advancing said seeond knife a,predetermined `distance and thenreleasing it.

l2. In a machine of the class described, the combination of a mold boxhaving a feed opening in a Wall thereof, a severing knife on one side ofsaid feed opening, means for reciprocating said knife, a second severingknife on the opposite side of said feeder, and n'ieans for advancingsaid second knife and then releasing it, said knives being so disposedas to "effect the return of said second knife by the continuous movementof said first knife.

i3. In a machine of the class described, the 'combination of a moldy'box having a feed opening in a ivall thereof, a severing knife on oneside of said feed opening, means for continuously recilnocating saidknife, a second knife von the opposite side of said feed opening, andmeans for positively advancing` said second knife a predetermined'distam'e and then releasing it, said knives having oppositely bevelledcutting edges adapted to engage and upon continued movement 'of saidii'rst knife return said second knife to its original position.

lei. In a machine of the described, the combination 'of a mold boxhaving a feed opening in a Wall thereof, a severing knife on 'one sideof said feed opening, a second severing` knife on the opposite side ofsaid opening, means for simultaneously advancing said knives toivarileach other, and means `for intermitting the4 advance of 'one knife aftera predeterni'incd movement.

In a maci'iine of the class described,

iyie'meie the combination of a mold box haviiig a feed opening' in aWaii thereof, a severing knife on one side of said feed opening, asecond severing knife on the opposite side of said opening, means forsimultaneously advancing said knives toward each other,and means forintermitting the advance of said second knife after a predeterminedmovement.

le. In a machine of the classv described, the combination of a mold boxhaving a feed opening in a Wall thereof, a severing knife on one side ofsaid feed opening, a second severing knife on the opposite side of saidfeed opei'iing, actuating means to impart a continuous reciprocationthereto, and co`nnections between the onefof said knives and saidactuating means to positively reciprocate said knife in one directiononly.

In a machine of the class described,

the combination of a mold box having a feed opening in a Wall thereof, asevering knife on one side of said feed opening, a severing knife on theopposite side of said feed openiing, means for continuouslyreciprocating said iirst knife, and means for positively reciprocatingsaid second knife intermittentiv in one direction only.

18. In machine of the class described, the combination of a mold boxhaving a -feed. opening in a wail thereof, a severing knife on one sideof said feed opening, a second severing knife on the 'opposite side ofsaid feed opening, a 'single actuating means for said knives,connections between said first knife and said actuating means to imparta continuous reciprocation thereto, and connections between said secondknife and said actuating means to positively and intermittentlyreciprocate said second knife in one direction only. Y

19. In a machine of the class descrbed, the combination of a mold `boxhaving a feed opening 'in a wall thereof, a severing knife on one sideof said inold box, a ser ond severing knife on the opposite side of saidin'oid box, means for advancing said knives towardeacii 4other to severthe material coming through the feedopening, and material supportingaprons extending rear- \\'a.rdly from the cutting edge of each knife.

20. A severing knife for inachii'ies of the class (lesciibed,com'prising'a blade, an Vopen frame extending tlieieffioin,"aiid meansat the opposite end of said open frame to connect said knifeivithsiiitable knife operating means.

21. .fk severing knife for machines of the class described, comprising abevelied blade. separated bars extending from the bevelled edge of saidbiade to form an open frame work, and a cross plate at the 'oppositeends of said `bars to couple 'said knife to a suitable 'operatingmechanism. Y

22. In a machine of the class described, the coinbiinition of a moldbox, a reciprocae roo l id

ing plunger in said' mold box for advancing material fed thereto, and apressure bar engaging the upper side of said plunger.

23. ln a machine of the class described, the combination of a mold box,a reciprocating plunger in said mold box for advancing material fedthereto, and a vertically adjustable pressure bar engaging the upperside of said plunger. j

24. ln a machine of the class described, the combination of a mold boxhaving a feed opening in a wall thereof, a plunger in said box foradvancing material entering said bonr through the feed opening,and avertically adjustable pressure bar engaging said plunger in the rear ofsaid feed opening.

25. A severing knife for machines of the class described, comprising anaproned knife having a bevelled cutting edge, bars secured to said knifeand extending forwardly from said cutting edge to form an open frame,and a cross plate at the opposite ends of said bars to form connectingmeans with suitable knife operating mechanism.

26. ln a machine of the class described, the combination of a mold box,material advancingl means in said box, and a delivery throat the sideand top walls of which converge toward the delivery end thereof, saidtop wall being adjustable to vary the size of the delivery opening.

27. In a machine of the class described, the combination of a slabreceiving table, a reciprocating print cutter frame Amounted above saidtable, and means for operating said cutter comprising depending legssecured at their upper ends to said cutter, and at their lower ends to.a rocking lever.

2S. In a machine of the class described, the combination of a slabreceiving table, a cutter frame mounted to reciprocate above said table,and operating means for said cutter frame, comprising' a hand leverpivoted to said table, and so coupled to the lower portion of said frameas to maintain it in either its lower or upperpositions after operation.

30. ln a machine of the class described,

the combination of a slab receiving table, a reciprocating cutter frameabove said table Ahan/ing supporting` legs depending throughslider-.rays on said table, and a hand lever pivotally mounted on saidtable and coupled to said legs to reciprocate said cutter frame, saidlever being so mountedas to maintain said frame in either its upper orlower position .after operation. o

3l. ln` a machine of the class described,

the combination of a slab receiving table, a

cutter frame mounted to reciprocate above said table, supporting legsdepending through suitable slideways on said table, thrust rodsconnected with said legs, and a pivotally mounted hand lever engagingsaid thrust rods to elevate or depress said cutter frame, said leverbeing so` disposed as to maintain said cutter frame in either its upperor lower positions after operation.

32. A block receiving table .for machines of the class described, havingcutter receiving recesses in the face thereof, the bottoms of whichrecesses are bevelled downwardly at their ends. f

33. nIn a machine of the class described, the combination with a printforming table, of a print receiving table adjacent said print formingtable and disposed at a different level, whereby the prints areseparated as they pass from the forming table to the rcceiving table.

B4. ln a machine of the class described, the combination with a printforming table, of a print receiving table adjacent said print formingtable and disposed at a lower level, whereby the prints are separated asthey pass from the forming table to the receiving table.

35. A print receiving table having means for breaking the printcomprising a plurality of surfaces inclined transversely of the line ofmovement of the prints.

36. A print receiving table having means for breaking the yprintcomprising a plurality of surfaces oppositely inclined transversely ofthe line of movement of the prints.

37. A print receiving table having means for breaking the printcomprising a surface provided with longituiilinally disposed ridges anddepressions.

38. In a machine olh the class described, the combination with slabforming and molding instrun'ientalities, of a slab receiving table, andslab lguiding' rollers between said table and said slab forminginstrumentalities.

ln a machine of the class described, the combination with slab formingand molding instrumentalities, of a slab receiving table, and adjustableslab guiding rollers between said table and said slab forminginstrunientalities.

40. ln a machine of the class des ribed, the combination of a slabreceiving table, a cutter frame mounted to reciprocate above said table,thrust bars coupled to said critter' frame and provided with notches,and a rocking lever pivotally mounted on the table and in Aengagementwith said thrust bars, the

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end oft said lever "ldeptedto engage 'the notch 1n szud thrust bar landmaintain lthe Abar fand cutter freine in elew'ted position.

41. In :L machine oit' 'fthe Class described, the combination yolf eslab *receiving table, lcutter' frame ysnp'p'or-ts reciprocatingreletive to id table Lnd e cutter frame Shiflt ably mounted lon saidreciprocating snpports. y y

4t2. ln a machine ot the class described, the Combination of e Slabreceiving table, vertically reoiprcceble clutter supports n'xonnted onVseid 'table end a cutter trame inonnted on said supports and Shifttablelaterally thereon.

e8. In e machine yof the class described, the combination of e slabreceiving table,

vertically Y reeiproeable rcutter supports mounted 'on 'said table eindzz cutter frame carried by sai-d supports sind shftnb'le hori- Zontallythereon.

44. A cutting plate or bed for machines `ot the character described,having cutterl receiving recesses in its surface, one at least my hand.

RICHARD F. STEVART.

